Sheraton Dubai Creek Hotel & Towers, which will re-open on April 9 following a $50 million refurbishment exercise, has been recognised for its leadership in environmental sustainability.

 

The hotel has been shortlisted as one of three finalists for the Green Minds Award in the category of ‘Green Hospitality,’ as a result of green practices and sustainability implemented throughout the hotel.

 

The Green Mind Award is an annual event that aims to encourage the best green practices among companies in the public and private sectors, organisations and individuals, and to honour commitment to achievements towards sustainability and protecting of the environment in the Mena region. 

 

The award ceremony will take place tomorrow (April 3) in Beirut and will be televised on April 22 – International Earth Day.

 

Stephen Vanden Auweele, general manager of the hotel and area manager for Dubai, Sharjah and Ajman, said: “We are thrilled that Sheraton Dubai Creek Hotel & Towers has been recognised in this manner. When we began the renovation process we had in mind a target of 15 to 20 per cent in energy savings for the hotel. 

 

“Starwood as a whole is committed to doing more to consume less and care for our planet, and our commitment is to reduce energy consumption by 30 per cent and water consumption by 20 per cent by the year 2020, and this is reflected both in the culture and operations at the hotel.”

 

During the recent renovation, the hotel’s mechanical electrical and plumbing systems were replaced with updated technology to reduce water and electricity consumption. 

 

Additionally, LED lights were replaced throughout the hotel and water flow restrictors were placed in toilets to reduce water consumption every time a toilet is flushed. 

 

By 2015, a grey water plant will go live, where laundry water will be safely reused to flush toilets. The initiatives are expected to save 809,700 KW of energy, 4.05 million gallons of water and 23,088 gallons of diesel annually.

 

The property has a ‘Green Minds’ team that meets once a month to discuss improving sustainability practices and ensure that the right infrastructure is in place and guests are offered the chance to contribute.

 

“We offer guests the opportunity to ‘Make a Green Choice’ and decline daily housekeeping services. For every day of participation, the hotel will save water and energy and in return, give guests the option to have a $5 donation made on their behalf in support of Unicef’s ongoing work to minimise the impact of climate change on the world’s most vulnerable children,” added Vanden Auweele. - TradeArabia News Service